Free His Forever Valentine by Kit Morgan

shoulder in a last attempt to glimpse down the back hall. But whom was she hoping to see?  Her intended Matthew Quinn, or Tom Turner?
     
    * * *
     
    The next day, Clayton drove Rose into town so she could spend more time with Matthew.  Mrs. Quinn decided it would be good to show Rose around the mercantile (as she was soon to be family) and had her behind the counter with her when Tom came in.
    “Mornin’ Mrs. Quinn,” he called to them as he stomped the snow from his feet. He turned and looked out the door’s glass. “Comin’ down pretty good, out there.”
    “Warm yourself by the stove, Deputy. Is there something I can get you?”
    “A new pair of boots woul d be nice. These are plumb wore-through.”
    “Ah, boots. I have jus t the pair!” She turned to Rose, “There’s a ladder in the corner, bring it here, will you?”
    “Yes, ma’am.” Ros e spied the ladder, and went to fetch it.  It was a tall ladder used to obtain things from the higher shelves, some of which went from the counter up to the fourteen-foot high ceiling, with various goods stacked on each. Rose struggled to pull the ladder from its resting spot, and carried it the few feet to Mrs. Quinn. She heard Tom chuckle and glanced at him.
    “I’m sorry,” he said. “I t’s just that a itty bitty thing like you with that ladder … well, it’s a right comical sight.”
    Rose glared at him, but in a playful way.  He laughed at her as Mrs. Quinn placed the ladder against the shelves and braced it. “Be a good girl and climb up there and fetch me that dark brown box.” She turned to look over her shoulder. “I’ve got two pair that ought to fit you.”
    “That’s mighty fine, Mrs. Quinn. Let me see them both.”
    “After you get the first pair, get me the light brown box next to it.”
    Rose nodded, but made no move to climb the ladder.
    “Well don’t just stand there, get going,” Mrs. Quinn urged.
    Rose gulped, her breath ing suddenly ragged. She took hold of each side of the ladder with a death grip, drew one deep breath, and began to climb. Within seconds her legs began to shake. So did the ladder.
    “Whoa there, girl!” Tom cried and ran behind the counter before Mrs. Q uinn could protest. “What are ya doin’ climbin’ a ladder if ya know ya can’t?”
    Rose was half-way up, her arms wrapped around the ladder in a bear hug.  Tears escaped with the sudden embarrassment of her situation.  She should have said she was afraid of heights and, Mrs. Quinn could you please do it for me? But no, she had to go and attempt to do it herself.  Good grief, she was no more than five feet off the ground, and shaking like a leaf!  Two large hands were suddenly at her waist, and she gripped the ladder harder.
    “Let go , I won’t let you fall, I promise.”
    His voice was soft, gentle, and Rose felt her spine relax at the sound of it. But she still could not let go. “I’m sorry,” she rasped. “It gets worse every year. Before you know it, I won’t be able to even stand on a tree-stump!”
    “At least you can make fun of it,” he chuckled. “Now c’mon, let me help you down.”
    “Oh dear, maybe I ought to help?” Mrs. Quinn suggested as his hands closed about her waist in a firm grip.
    Rose sucked in her breath at the contact. “Oh!”
    “Let go now. I won’t let you fall, you’re safe with me …”
    Safe. A word she’d not known for sometime. But when it came to Tom Turner, sh e knew it to be true, and released her grip. 
    He lifted Rose from the ladder, swung her around, and set her on her feet. “There, safe back on the ground. Now don’t go anywhere, ya hear?”  He scrambled up the ladder, retrieved both boxes, and came down just as fast. He looked down at her, smiled, and winked before setting them on the counter.  Rose watched in fascination a s he walked around to the front-side, and looked at the boxes. “Why, thank you Miss Rose for getting these down for me!”
    Mrs. Quinn shook her head.